Investment Advice
Our investment advice service provides a structured and personal approach to investing. We take time to understand your circumstances, financial objectives and preferences before recommending a suitable course of action.
Whether you are investing a lump sum, reviewing an existing portfolio or planning for the future, the LFP Financial Planning Service will guide you through each stage. Our aim is to provide clear recommendations that you understand and feel comfortable with.
Personalised Investment Planning
Successful investment planning begins with understanding what you want your money to achieve.
We consider your current financial position, investment experience, timescale and future objectives. We also assess your attitude to investment risk and your capacity to withstand potential losses. Where relevant, we will discuss your environmental, social and governance preferences.
Your recommendations will therefore be based on your individual needs rather than a standard investment solution.
The Nine-Stage LFP Financial Planning Service
Our investment advice follows the structured nine-stage LFP Financial Planning Service.
Stage 1 – Initial Exploratory Discussion
We begin with an initial exploratory discussion. This allows us to understand your immediate requirements, longer-term plans and overall financial objectives.
It also gives you an opportunity to learn more about our service and decide whether you would like to proceed.
Stage 2 – Financial Planning Questionnaire
You will complete our Financial Planning Questionnaire, which gathers important information about your personal and financial circumstances.
This may include details of your:
- Income and expenditure
- Savings and investments
- Pensions and other financial arrangements
- Assets and liabilities
- Immediate requirements and future objectives
This information forms the foundation of our financial planning and investment advice.
Stage 3 – Risk, Capacity for Loss and ESG Assessments
We assess your attitude to investment risk and your capacity for loss. These are related but separate considerations.
Your attitude to risk reflects how comfortable you are with investment uncertainty. Capacity for loss considers the effect that a fall in investment value could have on your financial position and objectives.
We will also consider your environmental, social and governance preferences where these are relevant to your investment decisions.
Stage 4 – Provider Information
Where you have existing investments, pensions or other relevant plans, we may obtain information directly from the providers with your authority.
This enables us to examine matters such as:
- Current values
- Investment funds
- Charges
- Product features
- Guarantees or valuable benefits
- Withdrawal or transfer conditions
We need this information before deciding whether your existing arrangements remain appropriate.
Stage 5 – Research and Technical Analysis
We then research and analyse the available information.
This may involve assessing your existing arrangements, considering suitable investment products and comparing potential solutions. We will also consider investment diversification, taxation, costs and the level of risk involved.
Our research is based on your individual circumstances and the agreed scope of our advice.
Stage 6 – Pre-Report Meeting
Before preparing our final report, we will normally discuss our findings and outline recommendations with you.
This meeting gives you the opportunity to ask questions and consider the proposed strategy. It also allows us to confirm that the recommendations remain consistent with your needs and objectives before completing the formal report.
Stage 7 – Suitability Report and Recommendation
You will receive a personalised Suitability Report explaining our recommendations and why we consider them appropriate.
The report will normally cover:
- Your circumstances and objectives
- Your agreed attitude to investment risk
- Your capacity for loss
- The recommended investment strategy
- Product and investment fund recommendations
- Relevant charges, risks and disadvantages
- Any alternatives considered
Supporting product and investment information will also be provided where appropriate.
Stage 8 – Implementation
If you decide to proceed, we will arrange the recommended investments and manage the implementation process.
This may include preparing applications, liaising with investment providers and monitoring transfers. We will keep you informed throughout the process and confirm when the new arrangements have been established.
You are under no obligation to proceed with our recommendations.
Stage 9 – Ongoing Review Service
Investment planning does not end when your investments are arranged. Markets change, tax rules evolve and your personal circumstances may also alter over time.
Our ongoing review service may include:
- Reviewing your personal and financial circumstances
- Reassessing your objectives
- Updating your attitude to risk and capacity for loss
- Reviewing investment performance
- Considering the continued suitability of your portfolio
- Recommending changes where appropriate
- Agreeing the timescale for your next review
The precise nature and frequency of the service will be agreed with you.
Professionally Managed Investment Portfolios
Where appropriate, investments may be held within professionally managed, risk-graded portfolios.
A discretionary investment manager can make day-to-day investment decisions within an agreed mandate. We remain responsible for advising on the suitability of the recommended service and portfolio for your circumstances.
The value of professional management is not simply the selection of individual investments. It also includes diversification, ongoing research, portfolio monitoring and adjustments in response to changing market conditions.
Clear Investment Advice and Transparent Fees
Before you agree to proceed, we will explain the scope of our investment advice and the fees that may apply.
You will receive an Outline Proposal setting out our initial thoughts, the work we propose to undertake and the relevant costs. This allows you to make an informed decision before committing to the full advice process.
Please see our Transparent Financial Advice Fees page for further information.
About LFP Asset Management
LFP Asset Management was founded in 2003 and is privately owned. We are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Our adviser is a Chartered Financial Planner and a Fellow of both the Chartered Insurance Institute and the Personal Finance Society. With more than 30 years’ experience, we provide clear, client-focused financial planning, pension and investment advice to individuals and small businesses.
Arrange an Initial Discussion
If you would like to discuss your investments or future financial plans, please contact us to arrange an initial exploratory discussion.
Important Investment Information
- The value of investments can fall as well as rise, and you may not get back the amount originally invested.
- Past performance is not a reliable guide to future returns.
- Investments should normally be considered over the medium to long term.
- Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may change in the future.
- Investments in overseas markets may be affected by movements in currency exchange rates
Frequently Asked Questions
Investment advice involves assessing your circumstances, objectives and attitude to risk before recommending a suitable investment strategy. It may also include reviewing existing investments, comparing products, arranging new investments and providing ongoing reviews.
Where appropriate, we may recommend a professionally managed investment portfolio. The investment manager makes day-to-day decisions within the agreed mandate, while we assess whether the recommended portfolio remains suitable for your needs.
The frequency of reviews depends on the ongoing service agreed with you. Reviews normally consider your circumstances, objectives, attitude to risk, investment performance and whether any changes should be recommended.
The appropriate level of risk will depend on your objectives, investment timescale, attitude to risk and capacity for loss. These factors will be assessed and discussed with you before any recommendation is made.
Yes. We can obtain information about your existing arrangements with your authority and assess their features, charges, performance, risks and continued suitability. We will not recommend replacing an investment unless there is a sound reason for doing so.